INPLAY - Midweek saw Sassuolo return to winning ways, as they progressed in the Coppa Italia. They won 2-1 against Catania in midweek, which sets them up well for a crucial league clash this weekend. They host Fiorentina, with these two sides both hopeful of doing something in the race for the last Europa League place. The battle to make the top six in Serie A has been tight so far and these two teams have each shown potential to get into that race this season. Just two point separate them in the table, but who will come out on top in this encounter?

The hosts are in eighth, and only a point shy of the European places after their improved campaign. Relegation fears dominated them last term, but they have changed up their style for the new season. Sassuolo are a much more attacking outfit this time around, and they come into this clash aiming to continue the passing football which has restored them to the top half of the Serie A standings.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina kicked off the season in solid form with some decent results at home. However, things have turned against them of late. They’ve hit a bad patch of form, which has put pressure on boss Stefano Pioli. Roberto Donadoni is being put forward as a replacement, which is hardly a surprise. After a 3-0 hammering at home to bitter rivals Juventus last weekend, there was always going to be a clamour for change. That leaves Pioli needing a result in this trip, but can he get anything at Sassuolo?

Aside from beating bottom side Chievo, Sassuolo have failed to win a game since the end of September. Their poor form has left them with work to do, as they look to end a four-game run without a win at home in the league. The hosts opening up seems to have backfired on them, having conceded seven times in those four outings. They’ve conceded in 71% of their home games so far, and things are set to get worse this weekend.

Sassuolo have kept just one clean sheet against Fiorentina in Serie A, and we see the hosts letting in another goal. Meanwhile, Fiorentina are yet to win an away game – conceding in 86% of their trips. With the Neroverdi averaging 1.86 goals per game at home, we see them finding the net, so I am going for over 1.5 goals in this one.